Master
2026/2027
Cognitive Neuroscience
Type:
Compulsory course (Science of Learning and Assessment)
Delivered by:
Department of Educational Programmes
Where:
Institute of Education
When:
1 year, 2 module
Open to:
students of all HSE University campuses
Instructors:
Dmitry Koch
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
28
Course Syllabus
Abstract
Cognitive neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field that bridges education and the brain sciences. This course explores the core cognitive functions of the human mind, their development across the lifespan, and the impairments that may interfere with the learning process.
Accordingly, the course integrates perspectives from both cognitive psychology and neuropsychology. Key cognitive functions are examined in detail, including perception and attention (selectivity and distribution), language and categorization (concept formation), memory (short-term and long-term), and thinking (logical and causal reasoning).
Learning Objectives
- Study of basic concepts, theoretical models and key experimental studies in the field of cognitive neuroscience
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Able to describe the main stages of sensory processing from stimulus to percept
- Able to explain principles of perceptual organization (how the brain builds coherent percepts from raw sensory input)
- Able to identify the neural pathways underlying visual perception
- Able to differentiate between selective, sustained, and divided attention
- Able to describe the brain networks involved in attentional control
- Able to describe the components of working memory
- Able to explain the role of different cortical areas for maintaining and manipulating information
- Able to explain the consequences of working-memory capacity limitations for learning and behavior
- Able to differentiate between episodic, semantic, and procedural memory
- Able to describe the role of the hippocampus and related structures in encoding and consolidation
- Able to differentiate specific memory systems
- Able to describe the cognitive and neural basis of mental imagery and simulation
- Able to differentiate between logical and causal reasoning
- Able to explain the role of networks such as the default mode network in imaginative and constructive thought
- Able to define consciousness and distinguish its levels and contents
- Able to describe major theories of consciousness and their proposed neural correlates
- Able to define metacognition and distinguish it from first-order cognition
- Able to describe metacognitive monitoring and control processes and their role in self-regulated learning
Course Contents
- Perception
- Attention
- Working Memory
- Long-Term Memory
- Imagination and thinking
- Consciousness
- Metacognition
Interim Assessment
- 2026/2027 2nd module0.4 * Exam + 0.4 * Critical review of AI written essay + 0.2 * Attendance
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Fundamental neuroscience, , 2013
- Principles of cognitive neuroscience, Purves, D., 2013
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Cognitive psychology : connecting mind, research, and everyday experience, Goldstein, E. B., 2008
- Fundamentals of cognitive psychology, Kellogg, R. T., 2012
- Neuroscience : exploring the brain, Bear, M. F., 2007
- Principles of neural science, , 2013
- Высшие корковые функции человека, Лурия, А. Р., 2021
- Лекции по общей психологии : Учеб. пособие для вузов, Лурия, А. Р., 2004
- Лекции по общей психологии : Учеб. пособие, Лурия, А. Р., 2006
- Основы нейропсихологии : учеб. пособие для вузов, Лурия, А. Р., 2007
- Романтические эссе: Маленькая книжка о большой памяти; Потерянный и возвращенный мир, Лурия, А. Р., 1996